Visitors to the Maldives do not require a visa prior to their arrival.A tourist visa for 30-days, which is free-of-charge, will be issued to all bona-fide visitors upon arrival provided that the following conditions are met:
Should posses a valid passport
Should have a valid ticket to continue the journey out of Maldives
- Should have enough funds to cover the expenses for duration of the stay in Maldives. (US$100 + $50 dollars per day) or a confirmation of reservation in a tourist resort or a hotel more… »
Sun, sand and sea, a thousand ‘Robinson Crusoe’ islands, massive lagoons with different depths and infinite shades of blue and turquoise, dazzling underwater coral gardens; a perfect natural combination for the ideal tropical holiday destination. However there is more to the Maldives than just that.Following are some useful facts that one might want to know before visiting the Maldives.
Location / GeographyThe Republic of Maldives is situation on the equator Southwest of Sri Lanka. It consists of 1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. It stretches to an area of 820 kilometres north to south and 120 kilometers east to west. 202 islands are inhabited while nearly a 100 are exclusive resort islands.more… »more… »
Vaccinations
Normally, no vaccinations are required by the Maldives authorities. However, if you are from a Central African nation or South American, or if you have travelled through these areas to get here, you need to have a valid certificate indicating that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever. If not, you do not need any specific vaccination certificates to get into the Maldives. If you want to be extra careful, do consult your personal physician for his/her recommendations.
Visitors should check with their carrier when making reservations, as health regulations may change without notice.
Customs Regulations
All passengers coming to Maldives via air should go through customs checking except diplomatic passengers. Passengers’ luggage and other carrying items should go through x-ray checking and if the customs officer needs further checking then the luggage should be opened for inspection.
Importing of alcoholic beverages, narcotic drugs, pornographic materials and idols of worship are prohibited by law. Strict penalties will apply to those attempting to do so.
If you are bringing in a lot of photographic or diving equipment it is advisable to inform your resort / hotel / local agents of the details prior to your arrival or bring a list with details such as serial numbers of the equipment, to avoid delay at the airport upon arrival. You will be expected to take them back with you. Import duty is payable for any items left behind.
Radio & Wireless Communication Equipment
All radio and communications equipments should be declared to Customs on arrival for frequency approval from relevant authority.
Plants, Live animals & Birds
Those wishing to import plants, live animals and birds should produce proper phytosanitary / sanitary certificate(s). required. In its absence, the items will be confiscated.
Films
All types of video films and movies should be declared to Customs for approval through Government censors.
Concessions
Passengers returning from abroad are given the following concessions regarding the goods they bring along for each travel. This concession is not applicable to goods carried in commercial quantities.
• Wearing apparel
• Jewellery, watches and pens for personal use
• Toiletries. (Soap, perfume, shampoo and such)
• Camera, radio and such for personal use
• 200 sticks of cigarette or 25 cigars and 200 gram tobacco (only allowed for person over 16 years of age)
• Books and Magazine used during the flight
• In addition to the above mention, Rf2000/- concession on dutiable goods will be given
Citizens returning from abroad are entitled to the following concessions regarding the goods they bring along. This concession is applicable to personal items and not for items in commercial quantity, determined on the period spent abroad.
• Less than 1 year, Rf 7000/-
• 1 to 3 years, Rf 9500/-
• More than 3 years, Rf 12,000/-
In addition to above
• Student visa holders returning from abroad are exempted their computers, books and such used while abroad
• Passengers staying abroad for more than one year are exempted their used personal items.
Items like newspaper, magazine, cloths, reading glasses and medicine prescribed by doctors that are brought for others order will be given a concession of Rf2000/- per person per travel. Items imported for others order for commercial purpose is excluded. Additional items excluded in the allowance should be cleared under import license after paying import duty.
The following vessels/vehicles are to be registered in the Ministry of transport and civil aviation. These will be released after registry forms are filled.
• All kind of vehicles like motor/auto cycle, car, pickup and lorry
• All sea vessels
• Battery powered vehicles
Dutiable Goods in Commercial Quantities
Passengers carrying dutiable goods in commercial quantities should fulfill the following:
• Produce commercial invoice(s).
• Have an import license or a temporary import license.
• Submit the above documents to the officer on duty who will assist in processing the declaration. Duty payments can also be made at this stage.
